Cladonia furcata

A variable species, with podetia grey-green to brown, branching ± dichotomously, forming loose, tufted to ± procumbent mats, finer branches generally erect, sharply pointed, cups never formed, podetial surface lacking soredia and usually with very few or no squamules, but with small, green areolar patches that may be set in the cortex surface or else raised to give a slightly granular appearance, podetia becoming deeper brown, smooth and glossy with age and exposure; pycnidia small, brown, on the branch tips, apothecia brown, in expanded clusters at the tips of podetia. 

Similar to the related Cladonia rangiformis, but that species forms more richly branched, whitish-grey, erect tufts and has more conspicuous green areolar patches on the podetia.

Good images required to support records.

In heathland, heathy turf, amongst rocks and on dunes.

All year round.

Widespread and common in Britain, but easily overlooked amongst other Cladonia species.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.